The Walking Holiday Islands of Cape Verde

Santiago, the largest island in the archipelago, it is host to the capital of the country, Praia. It is extremely mountainous with hardly any flat land on the island. The highest peak is nearly 1400m, which is the focal point of one of many natural parks in the country. The walking is varied with mountainous and historic walks available.

Fogo, is one of the most geologically dramatic of not only this Cape Verdean group of islands but any worldwide. The island is dominated by a caldera, a partially collapsed giant volcano out of which is the relatively new volcano of Pico (2829m), the highest peak in Cape Verde.

São Vicente. This Cape Verde island is the smallest walking island we feature and it has the closest link with the UK. Its beautiful harbour was a major coaling station for British vessels en route to all parts of its empire. When oil replaced steam the British departed but left behind their architecture. Some elements of British culture and language remain to this day. Here there is a climb to the top of the highest mountain and an easy coastal walk.

Santo Antão, This is the most famous Cape Verde walking island and is the second largest. We concentrate on the north east and here one finds a spectacular landscape of jagged peaks either side of deep valleys (Ribeiras) where people live and farm clinging to the valley sides on perilous terraces where bananas, cassava and sugar cane are grown as well as other seasonal fruits and vegetables. The coastline is no less dramatic with paths clinging to the side of dramatic cliffs and offering one of the best coastal walking experiences imaginable.

Sal is visited in addition to the four Cape Verde walking islands. You may have to travel via Sal and stay overnight as only this island has both a non stop air link with the UK and good air connections with the other islands. The island is flat and dull for a walker, but it does have some excellent hotels for overnight stays or a relaxing few beachy days at the end of the holiday.

The Walking – Guided and Self Guided

We offer this holiday on a guided and self guided basis. The paths are not well marked and are indistinct in places and our walk notes are essential. The paths are generally good and many are smooth cobbled mule trails. However, some can become overgrown or become indistinct amongst the terraces and vegetation. On Santo Antão a good head for heights is necessary both on the hiking trails and the mountain roads! Travel to and from the walks can be achieved by shared taxis (Aluguars) which are very inexpensive, or if you prefer greater flexibility, by private taxis and these can be arranged through our local partner or your hotel. We recommend self guided only for confident walkers, but this is a destination where a guide is a great asset to your Cape Verdian 'experience' as they can give so much local information and help you to experience island life (you will undoubtedly be invited for a delicious cup of Cape Verdian coffee at a friends' or relatives' house). Guides are inexpensive and we offer a guided package where you will have your own private guide who will also ensure you receive all the necessary background to fully enjoy these islands. All walking on Fogo is guided.

Getting Around – Inter Island

We mainly use inter island flights as they are the most reliable and are the fastest way between the islands. Santo Antão has no working airport so we travel here by ferry regular from Sao Vicente and takes one hour.

Getting Around - On Each Island - Self Guided

This paragraph only applies if you go self guided. We always provide transfers between the airport and hotels and between hotels as the itinerary dictates. A number of walks are either out and back from your hotel, or you are dropped off to walk while we take your bags onto the next hotel. For all other walks you can use the Aluguars which are shared taxis. They do not run to a timetable and operate when full. They are very cheap and are good fun to use. We can also provide all transport for you, and the supplement for this is shown in the holiday prices, or if you take the guided option we include all local transport.

Walk Grading

Self-Guided

We grade the self guided walking as Moderate to Challenging due to the lack of infrastructure, altitude and indistinct paths in places.

Guided Walking

We grade as Moderate, however as you would have your own guide you can vary the walks to your own abilities. Vertiginous sections do exist on Santo Antão but there is virtually always a small wall along the path side for comfort. The majority of paths are generally more than 1 metre in width and the local island council maintains the cobbled trails well - they are still used by locals interlinking villages as well as walkers!

To view
the pricing for this holiday, please scroll down to "Pricing Details" tab below.

Here is a typical itinerary which can be varied, some necessary when
flight times are known for your journey.

Day 1 Fly to Sal nonstop from the UK
and connect to inter island flight to Praia, or fly directly to Praia via
Lisbon. Transfer to your hotel in Praia, Standard or higher grade. Overnight
Praia.

Day 2 Today there are two short walks, the
first is near the original capital Cidade Velha walking in a lush green
valley and finishing in the centre of the old capital which is now a village
and a Unesco World Heritage site. It was evacuated after two attacks, the last
in 1700. Then travel into the mountains for a short walk starting in the
island’s Botanical gardens and finishing 300m higher in your hotel. This is
your first introduction to the mountains of Cape Verde. Overnight Rui Vaz.

Day 3 Today, a choice!
Either walk from the hotel nearly to the top (the last
section is not for walkers) of Pico d’Antonio (1394m) the islands highest mountain.
It is only a 600m ascent leading through tranquil green areas of woodland then
out onto the open hillsides, which offer long views southwards on a clear day
as far as the sea and across to the island of Fogo. Overnight Rui Vaz.

Ascent: 600m. Descent: 600m.
Distance: 9 ½ miles. Time: 5 ½ hours.

Or

Travel to
Santa Malagueta and take a walk towards the coast. This walk in the northern
part of Santiago leads from the main north-south road across National Park
landscapes. This is an area where threatened endemic species are protected and
which with its open landscapes gives you fine views to the west coast. Return
to your hotel Overnight Rui Vaz.

Ascent: 200m. Descent: 400m. Distance: 7 ½ miles. Time:
5 hours.

Day 4 Early morning transfer to the
airport for your inter-island flight to São Filipe, the capital of Fogo. In the
afternoon take a walk around this small town and we will help you discover its
history. Later take a walk along the black sand beach, it is only 1 ½ hours 3 ½
miles with negligible ascent and descent. Overnight São Filipe.

Walking on Fogo is guided only due to the recent eruption on
the island. Transfers, guide and lunch are included.

Day 5 You can walk to the peak of the newly emerged side volcano after the
eruption in 2014. The sulfur deposits are particularly impressive which you can admire during the walk overlooking the entire base of Caldeira. Overnight Portela.

Ascent: 280m. Descent: 280m. Distnace: 7 miles. Time:
4 hours.

Day 6 Today another choice! Either walk to the top of the imposing 2800m Mount Pico volcano and witness the traces of the 2014 eruption. A guide is essential for this trip which should be arranged with us to avoid disappointment. It is an early start and a challenging climb but an exhilarating ascent. Overnight Portela or return to São Filipe (higher grade).

Ascent: 1100m. Descent: 1100m. Time: 5
hours.

OR

Take a long but rewarding walk to Pai Antonio almost on the coast. Beginning from you hotel, you pass through lava fields until you arrive in cooler forest. This walk is a contrast to the climb of Pico. It offers a wonderful change of scenery as you walk down through banana and coffee plantations and fruit orchards as you pass locals at work.

Ascent: nil. Descent: 1300m. Distance: 7 miles. Time: 4
hours.

Day 7 If travelling back to
Sal, transfer to the airport and fly back to Sal via Praia and transfer to your
hotel.
Overnight Sal.

If flying home from Praia, you can stay one more night on
Fogo and undertake the alternative walk, or we have a third walk around the
Caldera if in Portelo, guided only. Return to São Filipe or relax in your hotel if you
stayed in São Filipe. Overnight São Filipe.

Day
8 Relax in the hotel before your transfer to the airport if staying on Sal. If
staying in São Filipe, transfer to the airport for your flight to Praia.

Northern islands 7 nights

Here is a typical itinerary which can be varied, some necessary when flight times are known for your journey.

Day 1 Fly to
Sal nonstop from the UK and connect to inter island flight to São Vicente, or
fly directly to São Vicente via Lisbon. Transfer to your hotel in Mindelo,
Standard or higher grade. Overnight Mindelo.

Day 2 Transfer to port for an early ferry to Santo Antão where you are met upon
arrival and transferred to the centre of the island at Cova de Paul. Start by
walking across an old volcano crater now farmed as the soil is so fertile.
After a short climb to the crater rim, descend on an amazingly steep, zig zag
non vertiginous mule trail into the spectacular Paul valley passing farmer’s terraces
clinging to the mountain side and with your first vision of Cape Verdean life
and her happy, friendly people. Walk to your chosen hotel. Overnight Paul
Valley.

Day 3 Today is
an easier day as you can take a circular walk from the hotel and discover the
agriculture and people of this island followed by some relaxation at your hotel
to enjoy the spectacular views and complete tranquillity. Overnight Paul Valley.

Ascent: 500m. Descent: 500m. Distance: 5 miles. Time: 3 hours.

Day 4 Start high in the centre of the
island and walk down another steep valley going to the other side of the
island. This walk has some vertiginous sections, but the trail is wide and with
a small wall for comfort. As you descend you pass from the vegetated highlands
through barren mountains sides to the fertile valley below. Return to your
hotel. Overnight Paul Valley.

Ascent: nil. Descent: 1200m. Distance: 7 miles. Time: 4 hours.

Day 5 Morning
transfer to Ponta do Sol and your new hotel where luggage is left and you set
off on today’s walk - a complete contrast along the most spectacular
coastal walk imaginable as you trek along an old cobbled path clinging to the
cliff and often cut from the cliff itself. The sea crashes against the rocks below
while turtles, whales and dolphins may frequently be spotted. Pass through
villages clinging to the cliff side and at times descend to water level. Return
to your hotel. Overnight Ponta Do Sol.

Ascent: 800m. Descen:t 800m. Distance: 8
miles. Time: 5 hours.

Day 6 Today enjoy a wonderful undulating walk through fertile valleys and across low
mountain ridges but never far from the coast. The landscape is dramatic enhanced
by friendly locals met on the way. The walk ends at an interesting place used
by exiled Portuguese Jews and Lepers where you are met and transferred to the
port for the late afternoon ferry to São Vicente. Transfer to your hotel.Overnight Mindelo.

Ascent: 400m. Descent: 800m. Distance: 9 miles. Time:
5 hours.

Day 7 Optional walk to the top of the highest point on the island (720m), a steady
climb that gives you ever changing views as you spiral to the top with
commanding views over the whole island. Ascent 700m Descent 700m Distance 8
miles walking time 4 hours. Or, take an easy coastal beach walk. In the
afternoon, explore the historic city of Mindelo with its strong British
connections. Transfer to the airport for your evening flight to Sal and
transfer to your higher or standard graded hotel on Sal. Overnight Sal. If
travelling via Lisbon, stay another night in Mindelo.

Day 8 After
a mornings relaxation or a visit to the Salt Pans, you are transferred to the
airport for your afternoon flight back to the UK.

If travelling via Lisbon, transfer to the airport for your early morning
flight.

North & South 14 nights

Here is a typical itinerary, we can vary this and would recommend some variations when flight times are known for your journey.

Day 1-6 As Southern 7 nights itinerary.

Day 7 Transfer to the airport fly to São Vicente via Praia and transfer to your hotel. Overnight São Vicente.

Day 8 Rest day on São Vicente in a small coastal resort hotel.
Day 9-15 As Day 2 to Day 8 of Northern 7 nights itinerary.

It is hot in the Cape Verde islands all year round with only a 6C difference between the highest (Sep) and lowest month (Jan). It is a dry country with almost no rain from November to June. Most rain arrives in September and one of the best times to go is October to December when the islands are at their greenest after the rains.

There are non stop charter flights from London Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester to Sal from where there are connecting flights to other islands. We leave plenty of leeway in connections to/from inter island flights. Overnights are necessary in places. You can also travel from London Heathrow and Gatwick with a change of plane in Lisbon to Praia on Santiago island daily, and São Vicente weekly.

Cape Verde

Island hopping in Cape Verde

How about combining 2 or 3 islands for an island hopping walking
holiday? We can arrange the duration you wish on each island and include all
ferries and transfers. Here are the prices for our 3 listed itineraries.

Included:

·Number of nights accommodation
with board as indicated

·Transfers between the airport,
hotels and ferry ports

·Inter-island flights and ferries
when travelling between hotels

·Our unique walking booklet
written by one of our team and local walking map

*Half
board is dinner, bed and breakfast

Optional:

·Guided walking includes transport
to/from nearby collection point or hotel at a supplement

·'With international flights'
includes typical flight price* between London Gatwick to Sal or London Gatwick
(via Lisbon) to Praia (Southern Islands and Northern & Southern) or Sao
Vincente (Northern Islands)